WASHINGTON–The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l
(ALPA), today welcomed the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
announcement of expedited screening for airline pilots as important action to
move the nation toward a threat-based strategy that focuses security resources
where the risk is highest and away from a one-size-fits-all approach.

“Airline pilots are trusted security partners, given the level of background
checks they must satisfy as part of employment and the responsibility they have
for the safe operation of the flight,” said Capt. John Prater, ALPA’s president.
“We appreciate the TSA’s recognition of this partnership with new procedures
that will provide a higher level of security throughout the system while moving
pilots efficiently through screening checkpoints.”

ALPA has long advocated a threat-based approach
to aviation security that focuses limited screening resources on individuals
about whom little or nothing is known while accurately identifying trusted
travelers such as airline pilots and allowing them to be screened appropriately.

ALPA proposed the creation of a highly secure and
effective security screening system that would quickly and accurately verify the
identity and employment status of active airline pilots. As a result, ALPA’s
Crew Personnel Advanced Screening System (CrewPASS) program would identify
individual pilots as trusted and, as a result, enhance the overall security of
air travel and reduce passenger delays.

In today’s announcement, the TSA acknowledged
ALPA for developing the CrewPASS concept and committed to phasing in CrewPASS
nationally. The CrewPASS system is currently operating at Baltimore-Washington
Thurgood Marshall International, Pittsburgh International, and Columbia
Metropolitan airports.

“Airline pilots across this country are gratified
by TSA’s announcement of new procedures and its commitment to implement the
CrewPASS enhanced pilot screening program nationwide as critical steps to making
our air transportation system more secure for everyone,” concluded Prater.

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest
pilot union, representing nearly 53,000 pilots at 38 airlines in the United
States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at
www.alpa.org.